On November 22, 2013, NDP MP and CAPPD Chair, Ms. Rathika Sitsabaiesan posed a question to Minister of International Development, Mr. Christian Paradis on Canada’s support for sexual and reproductive health, globally. On January NDP MP and CAPPD Chair, Ms. Rathika Sitsabaiesan’s received a response from the Minister of International Development.

The question was, with regard to government spending on family planning initiatives:

• (a) What is the total amount of funding that has been disbursed so far as part of the Muskoka Initiative, broken down by specific category or initiative;
• (b) What is the amount of funding allocated for family planning that has been disbursed so far as part of the Muskoka Initiative,
  • (i) in total,
  • (ii) broken down by specific category or initiative;
• (c) How will the government spend the $58 million allocated to family planning as part of the Muskoka Initiative between 2012 and 2015;
• (d) What will the government’s overall spending on sexual and reproductive health between 2012 and 2015; and
• (e) How does the government intend to meet its 10% Official Development Assistance commitment to sexual and reproductive health, as agreed to at the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development?

Highlights from the response: 

• The total amount of funding specifically allocated for family planning that has been disbursed under the Muskoka Initiative as of March 31 2013 is: $58 million, which includes support for ‘reproductive health care.’ over $45 million of the reported $58 million went towards ‘reproductive health care,’ only $12.8 million went specifically toward family planning.
• Support for ‘reproductive health care’ has risen consistently since 2010 (with a %108 increase from 2011-2012 to 2012-2013), while support for family planning has only risen incrementally (%67 from 2011-2012 to 2012-2013).

 

 

Read the full statement, click here.